Had the day off so went to Montezuma with my friend Dan Watkins.
We started at the visitor's center and it was pretty active. Decent numbers
of shorebirds that were close enough for good looks.
There were at least 50 KILLDEER, 2 SEMIPALMATED PLOVER juveniles, 1 GREATER
YELLOWLEGS and 3 LESSER YELLOWLEGS. 17 DUNLIN, many juveniles but a few
adults molting. 1 juvenile LEAST SANDPIPER, 2 juvenile WHITE-RUMPED
SANDPIPERS. These birds had a tinge of rufous on their back and edge of
feathers. Got great looks at both of these birds and they were more a
slate-gray vs. buffy color that baird's would show. Plus, when they flew
they had white-rumps!! They also displayed the classic white eye-line. Cool
birds. Also had at least 6 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and estimated 15 LONG-BILLED
DOWITCHERS in basic plumage. Not sure if they were juvies or not. They were
calling often so giving the time of year and calls, no doubt LBDO. I also
had the late BARN SWALLOW that everyone has seen. We totaled 33 species
just at the visitor's center as there were also waterfowl present and we
heard several species of birds in the nearby woods.
Wildlife drive was awesome. There were thousands and thousands of
mainly CANADA GEESE and all kinds of waterfowl that flushed at once when
an adult BALD EAGLE flew overhead. It was a spectacle. Waterfowl numbers
and diversity continue to climb. Most birds were NORTHERN PINTAIL, but
there were lots of RING-NECKED DUCKS, AMERICAN WIGEON, GADWALL, BLACK DUCK,
MALLARDS, mostly LESSER SCAUP but at least 2 good views of GREATER SCAUP.
Several REDHEADS too along with some RUDDY DUCKS pretty close. Both species
of teal were present with a nice flock of BLUE-WINGED TEAL that were
flushed. I estimated at least 50. There were many many GREEN-WINGED TEAL.
Also NORTHERN SHOVELORS were all over. There were a lot of AMERICAN COOT.
We also had many TREE SWALLOWS and two more BARN SWALLOWS that flew close
by. We also had a great view of a female NORTHERN HARRIER coursing low over
the marsh before eaton.
Eaton marsh had mainly CANADA GEESE, and both species of teal, shovelors,
mallards, a PECTORAL SANDPIPER and a lone GREATER YELLOWLEGS. Did not see
the hudsonian godwit that had been present. It was not seen that whole
morning according to the folks at the refuge visitor center.
Tschache Pool had many wigeon including the continuing EURASIAN WIGEON.
The bird was with a bunch of AMERICAN WIGEONS and a pretty easy find.
We totaled 50 species at the refuge.
Dave Nicosia
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